BOULDER, Colo. — USC athletic director Pat Haden will not attend Friday night’s game against Colorado at Folsom Field because of health reasons, but that does not mean he is not working.

The search for USC’s next coach is underway and candidates have started to be contacted, according to a high-ranking official within the athletic deptartment. Some of the inquiries at this point are informal but it signals USC is looking for its next coach.

The official did not name any candidates but at least one of the coaches currently works in the NFL. There are also going to be plenty of college candidates with two of the previous searches’ top choices — Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin and Penn State coach James Franklin — expected to be considered.

The assumption is Haden will make the hire, though rumors continue to swirl over how much longer he will remain in charge.

In the meantime, interim coach Clay Helton continues to make his bid on the field. This should be Helton’s final breather of the season before the final two regular-season games against Oregon and UCLA.

USC’s bowl opponent should be irrelevant to Helton’s chances because Haden needs to hire a coach during December.

Colorado (4-6, 1-5) announced Wednesday that coach Mike MacIntyre would return for a fifth season. That sets up a head-scratching possiblity: MacIntyre could face five different USC coaches in five years — Lane Kiffin (2012), Ed Orgeron (2013), Steve Sarkisian (2014), Clay Helton (2015) and a possible new coach in 2016.

And people probably think Colorado is the unstable program compared with USC.

Although Colorado is not winning many games, the Buffaloes are dangerous. They gave UCLA fits at the Rose Bowl in a 35-31 loss two weeks ago, held a 24-17 fourth-quarter lead over Arizona before losing and were tied 17-17 with Oregon at halftime.

“This is not the same team we’ve faced in the past,” Helton said of the Buffaloes, whom USC routed 56-28 last year as Cody Kessler threw for a school-record seven touchdowns.

But the weather in Boulder will be the same. Temperatures should hover around the high 30s during the game.

“It felt like it was 10 degrees the last time we played,” linebacker Su’a Cravens said.

When USC has the ball

What will tailback Ronald Jones do for an encore after gaining a freshman-record 177 yards against Arizona? Expectations are high and there is not much reason to limit his carries with senior Tre Madden out with a knee injury.

Jones had a career-high 19 carries last week and should surpass it Friday. This might also be a good game to see if someone other than Jones or wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster can shine.

The reason is no one else probably gets enough touches to make a significant impact.

“I think every week I’m going to have a breakout game,” wide receiver Steven Mitchell said this week.

He is probably not the only player with that mindset, but it is ultimately Helton’s decision who gets to be featured.

When Colorado has the ball

Wide receiver Nelson Spruce from Westlake High is the Buffaloes’ version of Smith-Schuster. His 67 receptions are nearly double the total of No. 2 wide receiver Shay Fields.

Quarterback Sefo Liufau should not be intimidated by USC’s defense since he faced the Trojans last season. But will he get enough time to throw with USC’s defensive line going through a mini-rejuvenation. Liufau is mobile, which should help but probably not enough to make a difference.

USC players to watch

Max Browne: When will the reserve quarterback get some real playing time? This might be his last chance because the Trojans are 17-point favorites over Colorado. Browne or Sam Darnold will start next year’s season opener against Alabama, so he could use every snap he can get between now and then.

Aca’Cedric Ware: Another player waiting for some time. With Madden out, the freshman tailback might finally see a few plays.

Colorado players to watch

Jordan Carrell: The defensive tackle, a junior-college transfer, has played 82 percent of the defense’s plays this season, trailing only three defensive backs.

Chidobe Awuzie: On pace to become the school’s all-time leader for sacks by a cornerback and has four this season.